O BITUARIES

Mary Jo Brash

Volunteer Playground Assistant

Mary Jo Brash, 65, Rochester, passed away at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 2023, at Life Care Center of Rochester.

Mary Jo was born Aug. 15, 1957, to Maurice and Fran (Smith) Brash. She was the daughter they longed for, already having five sons. Born in Woodlawn Hospital, she spent her early life in Rochester and when she was 11, the family moved to Bloomfield Hills, Mich. There she continued her education and graduated from Lahser High School in 1975. Upon her father’s retirement, Mary Jo and her parents moved back to Rochester to be closer to family.

For a time, she was a volunteer playground assistant at Columbia Elementary School. She devoted her time to family activities with her dear nieces and nephews and enjoyed the company of her beloved golden retriever, Beaujangles. In 2005, Mary Jo took up residence in the home of her brother and his wife, Greg and Kay Brash. She took pleasure in spending her weekends in the home of her brothers and their spouses. In January of 2017, she moved to Life Care Center of Rochester.

Mary Jo was a lover of all animals, especially dogs. She had an amazing memory for names and dates and could recount the entire family’s list of birthdates. In spite of numerous medical and physical challenges throughout life, she remained positive and always looked at the bright side. She enjoyed her time at Life Care, participating in activities, making many new friends and appreciative of the help of staff. She had been a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

She will be lovingly remembered by her brothers and sisters-inlaw, Bob (Jan) Brash, Rochester, Greg Brash, Rochester, Rick (Kay Morgan) Brash, Maryville, Tenn., Terry (Brenda) Brash, Rochester, and Tim (Maribeth) Brash, Rochester; 12 nieces and nephews and their spouses; and 28 great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Kay (Schroeder) Brash.

Mass of Christian burial was at 10 a.m. Friday, June 9, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rochester. Friends visited from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, where a rosary was recited. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rochester.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center or to the Manitou Training Center. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh. com.

Shelly L. Brubaker

Area Resident

Shelly L. Brubaker, 62, Rochester, passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

On June 5, 1961, Shelly Lynn was born in Newport News, Va.

Shelly is survived by her husband, Mark Brubaker; their son, Jacob Brubaker; stepsons, Dan Brubaker, Dustin Brubaker and Andy Brubaker, all of Rochester; a sister and brother-in-law, Sherry (Hasinger) and Jess Geller of Durham, N.C.; and numerous stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Betty Mangum Hasinger; and a stepgrandson.

Following Shelly’s wishes, there will not be any services. The Good Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.

Edward W. Gates

Edward

W. Gates, 91, Rochester, died at 12:35 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023, in his home.

He was born on Aug. 16, 1931.

He is survived by his wife, Donna (Mohr) Bruce Gates, Rochester; stepchildren, Barbara (Bob) Clyde, Kewanna, Daniel Bruce (Cora Lynn Weller), Star City, and Timothy (Jan) Bruce, Remington; and sister, Carolyn Barnett, Billings, Mont.; nine stepgrandchildren; and 11 stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Eunice (Johnson) Gates; brother, Clayton Gates, Jr.; sister, Doris Thrower; stepson, Jim Bruce; daughter-in-law, Vickie Bruce; sister-in-law, Mary and husband Ken Reutebuch; and brotherin-law, Dave Barnett.

Memorial contributions can be made to Pleasant Hill Cemetery, C/O John Bruce, 6364 E. 150 N., Winamac, IN 46996.

A graveside service with Military Rites was held June 10, in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Rans Funeral Homes and crematory was entrusted with arrangements.

Belinda Kaye Hutchins

Belin- da Kaye Hutchins, 76, Akron, died at 11:54 a.m. June 9, 2023, in Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester. She was born on Aug. 1, 1946.

She is survived by her children, John Snodgrass, Ohio, Todd (Lynda) Snodgrass, Ohio, Matthew Snodgrass, Ohio, Nicole (Nathan) Johnson, Rochester, Joshua Snodgrass and Laura Prigelmeier, Ohio, Andrew Snodgrass, Ohio, Kimberly (Kevin) Beck, Ohio; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William K. And Margaret Wagner; and her husband, John Hutchinson.

Following her wishes, no services will be held.

The arrangements have been entrusted to Hartzler Funeral Home 305 West Rochester St., Akron. Donations can be made in her memory to your local animal shelter.

Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.

Ronald Eugene Huffman

Ronald “Satch” Eugene Huffman, 72, Macy, died on May 29, 2023, in his residence.

He was born on Feb. 9, 1951. On Jan. 25, 1977, he married Doris A. Monroe Freese, she preceded him in death on May 6, 2020.

He is survived by his siblings, Tom (Nancy) Huffman, Rochester, Bonnie Fields and companion Paul Pyle, Akron, and Max (Lori) Huffman, Mentone; a daughter; and three stepchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, Max W. and Phyllis Virginia (Summers) Huffman; and a brother, Donald Wayne Huffman.

Following his wishes, no services will be held.

Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, was in charge of arrangements.

Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.

Ronald Allen Thomas

Ronald “Ron” Allen Thomas, 79, Argos, died at 4:20 a.m. June 4, 2023, in his residence.

He was born April 13, 1944. On Oct. 23, 1970, he married Lori K. Warner, she survives.

He is also survived by his children, Michelle Thomas and friend Silas Hicks, Monterey, and Chris (Carrie) Thomas, Fishers; and four grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Nina (Cook) Thomas; sisters, Beverly Sims and Sandra Frick; brothers, Norman Thomas and Merle Thomas.

Services were held June 7, in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Argos, with Rev. Chuck Krieg. Burial followed with military honors with the United States Army Honor Guard and Argos American Legion Post 68.

Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos, was in charge of arrangements.

Beverly Joy Berkey

Beverly Joy Berkey, 89, died June 5, 2023.

She was born on April 8, 1934. On Dec. 18, 1954, she married Donald R. Berkey, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children, Kathy (Mike) Kauffman, Kandy (Jim) Walter, Kitty Berkey, Keith (Annette) Berkey and Donald Jr. (Deborah) Berkey; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Bonnie (William) Kintigh, Rochester.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Kitty Berkey; sisters, Donna Fry and Ruth Troyer; brother, Robert Covington; and a granddaughter.

Services were held June 9, in Rieth Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, Goshen. Memorial donations may be directed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Condolences may be sent at www. rrefh.com.

David W. Hutchison

David W. Hutchison, 62, Rochester, died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in his home of natural causes.

He was born on June 29, 1960.

Preceding him in death is his mother, Judith Middaugh Hutchison.

A graveside service was held June 13, in the Akron Cemetery, Akron, with Pastor Dave Sommers officiating.

Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester, was in charge of the arrangements.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www. goodfamilyfh.com.

Nickulas Jay Wood

Nickulas

Jay “Nick” Wood, 52, Rochester , died unexpectedly at 8:34 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester.

He was born on Nov. 16, 1970. On Aug. 7, 2007, he married Amanda Kay Hicks, she survives.

He is also survived by his children, Garrett Wood and Courtland Wood; parents, James and Diane Wood, Walkerton; stepdaughters, Alexis Hicks, Payton Fincher Johnson and husband Devin, and Aubrie Tate Skeans and husband Atticus; and a sister, Stephanie (A.J.) Reynolds, North Liberty.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

A memorial gathering was held Saturday, June 10, at 160 Reed Lane Rochester.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 West Rochester St., Akron. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the donor’s choice of charity.

Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.

B IRTHS

Cason Lee Foust

Austin and Emily Foust, Rochster, are the parents of a son, Cason Lee, born at 7:36 a.m. June 6, in Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.

Legend Jax Clayton

Lorena Clayton, Akron, is the parent of a son, Legend Jax, born at 9:57 a.m. June 8, in Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 20.5 inches long. He joins, Jayden, 7, and Elias, 5.

Maternal grandparents, Gisele Clayton, Peru.

Scott Christopher Martin

Christopher and Dorcas (Shaum) Martin, Rochester, are the parents of a son, Scott Christopher, born at 5:13 a.m. June 11. He weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces.